The Worst Excuses Your Friends Might Have for Not Voting & How to Change Their Minds

Chegg

Are you voting November 6th? What about your friends?

Unfortunately, midterm elections fail to attract the same energy and enthusiasm as presidential elections amongst young voters. And honestly, who could blame us? The word “midterm” is traumatizing at this point.

Nonetheless, midterms are a BIG deal! Seats in the US House of Representatives and seats in the Senate will be contested, ballot measures and propositions will be decided, governors will be elected. This means you and your friends have the power to shape politics.

If you have friends who are opting not to vote this November, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Here’s how to respond to some of the worst excuses your friends might have for not voting, and how you can change their minds.

“I’m not registered.”

Tell them: If you’ve voted within the past four years, you probably are. And even if you aren’t registered, you still may be able to. Some states even allow same-day registration.

You can register to vote or request an absentee ballot on Turbo.vote. You’ll also get informed when local, state, and national elections are happening, so you’ll never miss a deadline again.

“My vote won’t make a difference.”

Tell them: Of course, your vote matters. Midterm elections are determined by the popular vote, not the electoral college. So yes, every vote matters. Voting gives you a voice to express your content or contempt. Not using it would be a waste.

“It’s not a presidential election, so who cares?”

Tell them: You’ll be electing officials who are going to represent YOU for the next two or six years. It’s kind of a big deal! Congress is in charge of legislation, which means they have the power to make or change laws. As a voter, you also have the opportunity to change or protect current parties in power.

“I don’t like any of the candidates—why bother?”

Tell them: Nearly every voter faces this moral dilemma at some point. No one can force you to vote. But the reality is, someone is getting elected whether you like it or not. Why not at least have a say in it?

“I’m not informed enough to vote.”

Tell them: One of the wonderful things about technology is that you have access to information right at your fingertips. Take some time to research your senators and representatives. Also, give yourself some more credit. You don’t need to be a Political Science major to know what beliefs and issues are important to you.

“I’m too busy.”

Tell them: Voting takes only minutes. If you can wait in line at a Starbucks coffee shop, you can vote. Have an absentee ballot? Even easier. All you have to do is fill it out and mail it.

“I don’t have a stamp.”

Tell them: Post offices aren’t the only place where you can buy stamps. You can buy them from your campus convenience store or on-campus mail service. You can also purchase stamps at supermarkets, pharmacies, some ATMs and even some gas stations.

So, there you have it! No excuse is a good excuse not to vote. We’ll see you and your friends at the polls November 6th. Happy Voting!

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Chegg

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